Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

The Peregrine seems to be quite popular among ultra light hikers, with good reviews, but I'm 100% more than open to good suggestions of what other people have worn. The reason I asked the Through hikers though is because they hike light.

I have a Merrell Verterra right now and it's more shoe than I need. It's basically a light hiker or speed hiker and more or less a tennis shoe with heavier tread ha.

All I need is a trail runner for the shorter distances and lighter weights that I do. I'm open to any lightweight hiking shoe with a minimal drop (4mm) and wide toe box.

I wear LEMS shoes day to day and they're extremely comfortable

 

We both wore Salewa Hiking/Approach shoes for the entire trail. They are super comfortable, and hold up very well to the rocks. We went through 2 pairs each, and our 3rd pair we're still using. We both have Firetail EVO's right now. I don't think I'll ever have another hiking shoe since these are pretty much the best I've ever worn. It just depends if you want to keep the water out or in. If you're an UL'er or SUL'er you might consider the Altra Lonepeak 2.5's. I have them for trail running, and they're great. Seems like a lot of people on the PCT go with them.

I'll second the use of Enlightened Equipment as well. Tons of people seem to be switching to using top quilts, and even for ground sleeping. We both have a 40* and 20* Enigma top quilts, and they are great. They're definitely able to go below the rating Enlightened give them. Very light weight, compacts down to nothing, roomy, and very warm.

Another good recommendation is the Tarptent Protrail. I'm not a big fan of non-freestanding tents, but that tent is pretty nice. We're using a Nemo Hornet 2P, and a North Face MICA 2p. The MICA was along with us for the entire AT, and much to our surprise it actually help up great. Got the NEMO as a backup, and got it recently for 60% during their sample sale.

We've got plans to hike the Long Trail this summer, and then the Colorado Trail summer of 2017. After that I think we'll hit the PCT, and finish out the Triple Crown with the CDT.

 

Read and heard from friends that the Salomon 4d gtx are really good. I bought a pair on Amazon for less than 50% off before. They felt good on and pretty light. I ended up returning them since my family bought me a different pair of North Face for my bday. But from the initial try on, it may be my next boot when my current ones run out.

 

I got a pair of these about 3 months ago:

I couldn't believe the fit and feel right out of the box. The toe box may be a bit too narrow, but the sole is great. Seems very well made.

 

ProTrail is awesome and the Rainbow and a couple others can be set up free standing for a little more weight.


I'm jealous of you long hikers. I'd love to do the CDT. I can't hike like I used to so I'm just now looking into some lightweight bike trips. Either way, more power to all of you who self propel yourselves for hundreds and thousands of miles. Glad to see the human body doing what it's supposed to. Move.

I'll look into the shoes you've mentioned. Thanks.

 

I love my Danner boots.. hiking and snow shoe.. work great

 

Pardon my lack of experience with quilts and such, but you mention people using these while ground sleeping. how well do they retain their ability to hold heat when they get wet. I assume you guys have had them get pretty wet at some point, whether it be from dew, or straight up rain. im just getting into the down department and im still pretty wary just because of the price of down stuff. I do really like the idea of not using a mummy bag though

 

My wife carried the quilts at all time on the entire trip. She was using a Cubenfiber pack which is basically 90% waterproof with no shell. When she added a pack cover everything stay 100% dry. We honestly never had our gear get wet, but it would get damp in some situations. If things were damp we'd hope for a couple hours of dry time in the morning. We would hang them for a couple hours, and they'd usually dry. Our pull them out during your breaks, and hang them. If they were damp that night still your body heat would dry them. You can also use a vapor barrier to help with moisture.

The most rain we saw in a day was hiking 23 miles in it. It rained the entire day from start to finish, and they stayed completely dry. Just to be safe she always used a trash compacter bag when the forecast was calling for rain.

Enlightened offers some downtek fill which is supposed to be water repellent down. Most people that we was with the quilts didn't have the downtek.

 

fair enough. im pretty good at keeping things dry, but if the quilt is my only piece of sleeping equipment and a freak thing happens and it gets soaked, I at least want to still be able to keep a little warm haha. hence why earlier this month I was asking about wool blankets and such!

 

I would invest in a good pack cover, and a bag liner. That will help ensure things stay dry. They'll still get damp from moisture in the air when sleeping, but that'll usually dry out.

 

I always line the inside of my pack with a good high quality trash bag haha.

 

Same. Cheap and effective.

 

The only issue with trash bags is they will get holes in them. Trash compactor bags are much thicker, and hold up a lot better.

 

true. I use one of the heavy duty black trash bags. ive never actually knowingly run across a trash compactor bag. ill keep an eye open though

 

Quilts are just so versatile. I have the Revelation Quilt by them in a 40* with 950 fill power. Weights 13.4 oz.

I can leave it open and vent in warm weather. Close up the legs and leave my feet out if I want, cinch the feet up, tuck it under my pad for warmth but still a little wiggle room or for ultimate temp control tuck it under my body and over the pad. If I ever go somewhere colder I bring a stretchy bag liner. 100% more comfortable than my fleece or silk liner because it stretches and moves with you when you move and then hugs to your again when you lay straight. Ultimate in comfort and I'm all about comfort haha

 

I have friends who use Turkey oven bags haha I've never tried one.

 

@jpneely they have synthetic bags if you don't want down and are in wet places a lot. Check out their website. Lots of options including synthetic fill bags.


Down is just so stinking light ha.

 

yea Im definitely working on getting most of my stuff to be down now. it compacts so well I can take much more food with me! but yea just gun shy I guess.

 

Get a rain cover for the pack, their like $5.00